200 years ago the Belles of Galway spent their time ‘buying, laughing and chatting’

Thu, Aug 06, 2009

Week II

The sinking of the Athenia

Thu, Jul 23, 2009

The Second World War had only started for 10 hours, and the passenger liner Athenia was steaming across the Atlantic on its way to Montreal from Glasgow. It was 20.00 hours, on smooth seas, and many of the adults on board were preparing to eat dinner while some were putting their children to bed. Some others of the 1,103 passengers were relaxing on deck or in the lounge. There were 305 crew on board.

Gala night for Druid: Magnificent Gigli Concert in new theatre

Thu, Jul 23, 2009

It is exactly 30 years since Thos McDonogh and Sons presented Druid Theatre, for a peppercorn rent, with an old warehouse in Chapel Lane, in Galway’s Latin Quarter. It was far from a Latin Quarter at the time. Like other parts of the old city most of it was falling apart. Old 18th and 19th century buildings were roofless and derelict, a home for cats and rats. But it had a rough diamond look about it too with its pawnbrokers, ‘Nora Crubs’, the always warm Tigh Neachtain’s (if you could get in!), the Pedler and Kenny bookshops, Sonny Molloy’s very modest women’s undergarments shop, and the larger than life Mrs Mc Donagh, who showed us all that there was more to the fish industry than a stinky grilled herring, fried mackerel, and the auld cod.

Colm Tóibín’s praise: Druid’s new light on the world

Thu, Jul 23, 2009

Speaking at the official opening of the new Druid Theatre last Friday evening, the award winning writer Colm Tóibín firmly placed this Galway theatre at the centre of “ the very life of the country itself, in its shifting sense of itself, in its very reality”...

Top tips for racing in style

Thu, Jul 23, 2009

The key to racing style is to love what you are wearing, so that you will feel and look comfortable and carry yourself with confidence.

Galway joins Zumba

Thu, Jul 23, 2009

Fitness instructor Dara Kelly is infusing party fun into fitness by launching Zumba® drop-in classes for all in Galway. Zumba eliminates the ‘work’ from ‘working out’ by combining irresistible Latin and international music with dynamic yet simple exercise moves, using a unique intermittent training format.

Glow with Yes to Carrots

Thu, Jul 23, 2009

Get glowing summer skin with Yes to Carrots C body moisturising scrub. This hard working scrub invigorates tired skin, deep cleansing pores and providing long lasting moisturisation. Potent antioxidants, including ginkgo and green tea, work to fight free radicals and support cell renewal.

Get fit for less with Energie

Thu, Jul 23, 2009

Energie Fitness for Women, Galway’s only gym exclusive to women, is launching a new recession-busting solution to health and fitness at a time when we need to look after our physical and mental health more than ever before, while ensuring we get value for money.

Look sharp with Suits Distributors

Thu, Jul 23, 2009

Since their establishment in 2007, Suits Distributors Ireland has grown to become one of the largest leading suppliers of quality suits and casual menswear. Suits Distributors supplies suits to businesses such as RTE, TV3, Manchester United, AIB, Bank of Ireland, Keary’s, and Musgrave’s, and also fits and styles for a number of politicians and celebrities including sporting legends from Ireland and the UK.

Suits Distributors offers a selection of designer suits, including Boss, Armani, Cerruti, and D&G, along with its own ranges, Roberto Gallini and Canavaro. Because the company purchases all the fabrics and materials for manufacturing, Suits Distributors Ireland is able to supply high quality suits and casual wear to the public at trade prices, saving shoppers huge amounts off the cost of buying retail.

The perfect racing hat

Thu, Jul 23, 2009

The Galway hat shop, located downstairs in Corbett Court/Eyre Square centre, boasts the best selection of international and Irish milliners in the country. This enables the store to offer customers a wide selection of individual designers with unique styles. Designers include Catherine Cooke, Nigel Raymond Couture, Vivienne Sheriff Millenry, and Peter Bettley.

‘Enjoy’ top class restaurant food to eat at home

Thu, Jul 23, 2009

Next door to The White Gables Restaurant in Moycullen is the newly opened Enjoy, where you can buy all sorts of goodies for young, old, and everybody in between. It is the brainchild of Ann and Kevin Dunne, who have been at the helm of The White Gables restaurant for more than 20 years. The popularity of the restaurant has obviously spilled over to the new delicatessen as on opening day there were queues to get in, and that was before any advertising. On my recent visit there was a constant stream of customers in the middle of a midweek day.

Quick and easy meals with lamb

Thu, Jul 23, 2009

Make the most of the summer with these delicious lamb recipes from Bord Bia. These dishes are perfect for a barbecue and, thankfully, equally tasty as an indoor dining option.

Reorganise your wardrobe

Thu, Jul 23, 2009

Two weeks to the Galway Races and you cannot find that dress you bought and never wore! Maybe it’s time to declutter and reorganise your wardrobe. The problem is you have no room to improve or extend your wardrobe space; here are some tips about how to optimise your space. Things in a wardrobe can get out of control pretty quickly. These simple tips will allow you the room you need to keep your wardrobe filled with the most up-to-date styles without overflowing.

How to wear hats and headpieces

Thu, Jul 16, 2009

The secret is to choose the right hat/headpiece and wear it correctly with confidence. I believe that there is a hat to suit everyone. Here are some tips on how to find the right hat or headpiece for you:

Samoan Coconut

Thu, Jul 16, 2009

Ethical beauty retailer The Body Shop has expanded its unique Community Trade programme to include, for the first time, coconut growers from the Pacific Islands of Samoa. A Samoan co-operative is now supplying The Body Shop with organic, cold-pressed, virgin coconut oil for use in its new and improved Coconut Bath & Body range.

The many talents of Michael O’Meara from Oscar’s Bistro

Thu, Jul 16, 2009

The launch of a great new recipe book, The Galway Ingredient, prompted me to arrange a date for a chat with Michael O’Meara of Oscar’s Bistro. The Galway Ingredient is a superb book of recipes from the Euro-toques chefs of Galway, and was launched recently to coincide with the Volvo Ocean Race visit to Galway. It costs €5 and is available in Eason’s, Dubray’s, and most local book shops. For his part O’Meara is both a contributor of recipes and the photographer of every picture in the book.

McCambridges brings brown

Thu, Jul 16, 2009

As the summer heats up, there might be many reasons to visit the beach, but there’s also a new, tasty way to cool down with a visit to Shop Street in Galway, as Murphys Ice Cream has launched a new flavour to celebrate the refurbishment of McCambridge’s. That venerable institution has installed a Murphys ice cream scooping cabinet, with twelve delicious flavours, including McCambridge’s Brown Bread ice cream, in the remodelled, gourmet food store.

Deals on doors

Thu, Jul 16, 2009

Wood Plus, Galway’s longest established doors and floors retailer, is having an unmissable one day only sales special this Saturday July 19, with fantastic bargains such as oak doors from just €75 including VAT. Present on the day will be Mike O'Toole, regional sales manager with Deanta Doors, who will be on hand to advise customers on door choices, and to answer any queries. Wood Plus, located at Unit 9a, Liosban Retail Park, has ten years’ experience in selling quality products at reasonable prices to the Galway public. They provide a full range of prefinished interior doors in a variety of timbers and finishes. Wood Plus can supply a large selection of skirting and architrave to match new or existing doors in addition to a complete range of complementary door hardware including handles, hinges, and locks. Instore special offers will also be available on a large range of wooden floors. Sale starts at 9am sharp. Call 091 752311 for further details or check out the full product range on www.woodplus.ie

Happy holidays

Thu, Jul 16, 2009

It’s holiday time. Glorious sunny days and balmy evenings beckon as we settle into summer.

Take a different

Thu, Jul 16, 2009

If you’re looking for a last minute sun holiday deal, but are sick of the same old Spanish resorts, why not venture to the Algarve?

E-paper

Read this weeks E-paper. Past editions also available from within this weeks digital copy.